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Ready in under 20 minutes, these Air Fryer Salmon Bites are light, flavorful, and absolutely irresistible. ⏰😋
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If you love quick, flavorful seafood recipes, this salmon bites recipe is for you. These tender, juicy salmon bites cook up perfectly in minutes and are coated in a light garlic butter that makes them irresistible.
Whether you’re looking for a simple dinner or a healthy snack, salmon bites in air fryer are one of the easiest ways to enjoy salmon without turning on your oven.
This air fried salmon bites recipe gives you crispy edges and a flaky center that’s packed with fresh lemon flavor. Serve them with rice, pasta, or salad for a satisfying meal that tastes gourmet but couldn’t be easier to make. You’ll love how quick, healthy, and versatile these little bites are!
⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy – ready in less than 20 minutes
- Perfect texture – crispy on the outside, tender inside
- Family-friendly flavor everyone loves
- Versatile – great as an appetizer, salad topper, or main dish
- Light and healthy without sacrificing flavor
🛒 Ingredients & Substitutions
- salmon filet – substitute with skinless salmon chunks or pre-cut salmon cubes
- olive oil – use avocado oil or melted butter for a richer flavor
- lemon juice – use lime juice or bottled lemon juice in a pinch
- salt – use sea salt or kosher salt to taste
- lemon pepper – substitute with plain pepper and a pinch of lemon zest
- ground black pepper – optional, adjust to taste
- celery seeds – replace with Italian seasoning or dried dill
- garlic butter – use plain melted butter or make your own
✨ Variations
- Spicy salmon bites: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder to the seasoning mix.
- Sweet and savory: Drizzle with a bit of honey before serving for a glaze-like finish.
- Asian-inspired: Toss with soy sauce, sesame oil, and green onions after cooking.
- Parmesan Crusted: Sprinkle grated Parmesan over the salmon before air-frying for an extra crunchy finish.
- Herb lovers: Add dill, basil, or Italian seasoning for a fresh twist.
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🔥 Tips
- Pat the salmon dry before seasoning so it crisps up nicely in the air fryer.
- Do not overcrowd the basket so the hot air circulates evenly.
- Check for doneness at 7 minutes – air fryer models vary.
- Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor.
- Toss the bites gently in garlic butter to prevent them from breaking apart.
❓ FAQs
Yes! Just thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before cutting it into bite-sized pieces.
Absolutely. They’re high in protein, full of omega-3s, and use minimal oil.
They’re great with rice, pasta, roasted veggies, or over a fresh salad.
You can prep and season the salmon in advance, then air fry right before serving for the best results.
Yes, but it’s best to remove the skin before air frying so the bites cook evenly and crisp up on all sides.
You can, but a light coating of olive oil helps the seasonings stick and prevents the salmon from drying out.
Yes! Just cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket.
Fresh or frozen, wild-caught salmon has the best flavor, but any boneless fillet will work for this recipe.
Definitely, try lemon pepper, smoked paprika, Cajun seasoning, or a pre-mixed seafood blend.
No flipping is required, but you can turn them halfway through for extra crispness if you like.
Absolutely! They pair well with garlic aioli, honey mustard, dill yogurt sauce, or even a spicy sriracha mayo.
🍽️ Other Recipes You May Enjoy
Chicken and Turkey
Air Fryer Lemon Chicken Bites
Appetizers
Air Fryer Crab Bites
Main Dish
Air Fryer Steak Bites
Main Dish
Air Fryer Blackened Salmon
Air Fryer Salmon Bites
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Equipment
- mixing bowl (medium and large)
- whisk or spoon (for mixing butter)
- paper towels
Ingredients
- 1 pound salmon filet, fresh or if using frozen, thawed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, (juice of about ½ lemon)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon lemon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon celery seeds, (you can substitute with Italian seasoning or your favorite herb blend)
- 2 tablespoons garlic butter, melted and cooled
Instructions
- Place the salmon filet on a plate, pat dry with a paper towel, and remove the skin if needed.1 pound salmon filet
- Cut into 1-inch bite-sized pieces and place in a mixing bowl.
- Add the olive oil and lemon juice, tossing to coat evenly.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Sprinkle with salt, lemon pepper, black pepper, and celery seeds. Mix until well coated.¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon lemon pepper, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, ¼ teaspoon celery seeds
- Place the salmon pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Air fry at 375°F for 7-9 minutes, or until the salmon is opaque and flakes easily (internal temperature should be around 120°F).
- Transfer the cooked salmon bites to a bowl and drizzle with melted garlic butter. Toss gently to coat.2 tablespoons garlic butter
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
🥡 STORAGE
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Keep any extra garlic butter in a separate container and refrigerate for up to 1 week.
♨️ REHEATING
- Air fryer: Reheat at 300°F for 3-4 minutes or until warmed through.
- Microwave: Heat in 20-second intervals until hot.
- Skillet: Warm over medium heat with a small amount of butter.
❄️ FREEZING
- Place cooled salmon bites in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid.
- Transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container and store in the freezer for up to 2 months.
- Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
💡 TIPS FOR BEST RESULTS
- Make your own garlic butter: Melt 2 tablespoons of butter (salted or unsalted), then stir in 1 teaspoon of garlic powder and 1 teaspoon of dried parsley. For more garlic flavor, use 2 teaspoons.
- For a spicy kick, add paprika or chili powder to the seasoning mix.
- For a kid-friendly version, mix a little honey into the garlic butter before tossing.
- For a deluxe version, sprinkle grated Parmesan over the salmon before serving.
- Serve over Caesar salad, pasta, or rice for a complete meal.
🍳 ALTERNATE COOKING METHODS
- Oven: Bake on a parchment-lined baking sheet at 400°F for 10-12 minutes.
- Stovetop: Pan-sear over medium heat for 3-4 minutes per side until cooked through.
- Grill: Cook over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes per side.
♻️ LEFTOVERS
- Add leftover salmon bites to fried rice, creamy pasta, or a wrap.
- Break into smaller pieces and use as a topping for salads or grain bowls.
- Mix with mayonnaise, lemon juice, and dill for a quick and easy salmon salad.
📝 NOTES
- The salmon is cooked when it flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of about 120°F.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket for even cooking.
- Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor.
- Garlic butter adds richness, but the bites are delicious even without it.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
